Ottawa Senators goalie Craig Anderson deflects a shot as he takes on the Montreal Canadiens during the second period of Game 3 of first round Stanley Cup NHL playoff hockey action in Ottawa on Sunday, April 19, 2015.Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press
There is talk of desperation, of backs, walls, and no tomorrows – standard dressing room fare on the afternoon preceding a playoff elimination game.
The Ottawa Senators have their first chance to extend their first-round series against the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday, the goal is to earn a second one on Friday.
Ottawa coach Dave Cameron will once again turn to veteran goalie Craig Anderson, who made 49 saves in the Habs' overtime win in Game 3.
The Sens haven't been badly outclassed in the series, and they are evidently pinning their hopes on using the same gameplan to achieve different results.
"Down 3-0 I don't think our approach has changed or anything, we haven't changed our mindset, everybody still believes in here that it's possible," said Ottawa captain Erik Karlsson.
Asked if he will be doing any pregame speechifying, Karlsson said "there's not too many things to be said. Everybody in here knows what needs to be done, and what needs to be done is to win one game. In order to do that we need to work hard, we need to be a little more disciplined and a little more careful with the puck in certain areas."
Ottawa forward Zack Smith will make his first appearance of the series, subbing in for veteran centre David Legwand.
The Habs will make a roster change of their own, defenceman Greg Pateryn drafts into the lineup in replacement of the injured Nathan Beaulieu (who was hurt on a devastating open-ice hit from Karlsson in Game 3).
Montreal's players will feel reinvigorated after spending the two days between games at Mont-Tremblant, the ski resort in the Laurentians.
"Mentally it's important to take a step back," coach Michel Therrien said.
Therrien's instructions to his players are to hit the gas right from the start (Ottawa has owned the first period in all three games to this point), and
"It's the toughest game (to win). I know it's a cliché but it's true, we have to have the same mindset as the opponent," he said.
Montreal's core players have recent experience in closing out a team that's down 0-3, having done it to Tampa Bay last year.
Whether that counts for something will become rapidly apparent on Wednesday evening at the Canadian Tire Centre.